The best things to do in Santa Cruz

San Jose Municipal Golf Course is a classic William P. Bell 18 that blends rolling fairways with sneaky-fast greens, plus a driving range…

1560 Oakland Rd (San Jose)

Seascape Golf Course-Restaurant serves crowd-pleasing breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch in a relaxed spot overlooking manicured fairways…

610 Clubhouse Dr (Aptos)

Need a breezy reset close to home? Lake Merritt Amphitheater lines up a pretty perfect combo of shoreline strolls, lakeside art, birds…

QPXQ+Q9, Between 12th Street and 1st Ave., Lake Merritt Blvd (Oakland)

SUP Shack Santa Cruz has SUP and kayak rentals, quick intro lessons, and private coaching in the calm harbor, so you can slide past the…

2214 E Cliff Dr

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo mixes pint-sized rides, a charming puppet theater and real-deal animal moments, including Twix the red panda, plus…

748 Story Rd (San Jose)

Amusement chain featuring mini golf courses & arcades, some branches with water slides & laser tag.

976 Blossom Hill Rd (San Jose)

Movie theater screening new releases as well as independent, foreign & avant-garde flicks.

601 Van Ness Ave (San Francisco)

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

925 Blossom Hill Rd #2000 (San Jose)

Restored 1927 motion picture house turned performing-arts venue, also offers private event options.

345 S 1st St (San Jose)

Indoor trampoline center featuring an open jump arena, a foam cube pit, dodgeball & basketball.

1901 Monterey Rd (San Jose)

Amusement park offers a variety of games & rides right on a mile-long stretch of sandy beach.

400 Beach St

Sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range & swanky lounge with drinks & games.

10 Topgolf Dr (San Jose)

Theater complex with multiple screens featuring new release films, plush seating & concession stand.

1405 Pacific Ave

This relaxed 9-hole, par-30 golf course at TPC Harding Park offers educational programs.

99 Harding Rd (San Francisco)

Country club with a restaurant, an 18-hole golf course, and an outdoor patio, plus facilities for weddings.

1000 Old Quarry Rd (San Jose)

Golf club offering a driving range and a 9-hole course, plus lessons.

260 Bernal Rd (San Jose)

This retro drive-in movie theater screens the latest releases & pipes sound into cars via FM radio.

3630 Hillcap Ave (San Jose)

Expansive movie theater with comfy seats plus a cafe & lounge with entrees, desserts & booze.

226 Mt Hermon Rd (Scotts Valley)

Golf academy and course featuring a restaurant with outdoor seating, plus a 27-hole golf club with a restaurant and a pro shop.

23600 McKean Rd (San Jose)

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

3088 Olsen Dr (San Jose)

Not your average movie house, this indie-film center has presented cutting-edge releases since 1961.

55 Taylor St (San Francisco)

Family-friendly amusement center featuring bowling, karaoke, arcade games and a bar.

2200 Eastridge Loop Ste 2094 (San Jose)

Popular public golf course with well-manicured fairways and greens.

99 Harding Rd (San Francisco)

Iconic block-long alley featuring a constantly changing collection of murals by various artists.

50 Balmy St (San Francisco)

Art deco-style theater draws audiences with indie films & big-budget movies plus beer & wine.

1124 Pacific Ave #4415

Art Deco theater opened in 1931 hosting ballet & symphony performances, plus classic movies.

2025 Broadway (Oakland)

Familiar theatre with roomy seating, craft beer and wine, as well as burgers and sliders.

2306 Almaden Rd (San Jose)

Narrow alleyway featuring colorful wall murals by community artists, many with political themes.

90 Clarion Alley (San Francisco)

Restored 1926 movie palace with a Wurlitzer organ & themed auditoriums, screening first-run films.

3200 Grand Ave (Oakland)

Circa-1922 cinema for offbeat films, musical movie sing-alongs, drag acts & pre-show organ concerts.

429 Castro St (San Francisco)

Public golf course offering disc golf after 1 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

2100 Sunnydale Ave (San Francisco)

Golf course featuring an 18-hole course, driving range, well-stocked pro shop & restaurant.

2995 Tuers Rd (San Jose)

180+ rose varieties typically blooming April-November in a colorful 5.5-acre garden with a fountain.

1649 Naglee Ave (San Jose)

Venue for emerging artists with gallery exhibits, theater performances & classes for youth & adults.

762 Fulton St (San Francisco)

Laid-back course offering beer and wine at its various miniature golf holes.

1379 4th St (San Francisco)

Public hilltop 18-hole course with a tricky 10th hole, 2-level driving range & well-stocked shop.

401 Upper Park Rd

Nautical-themed entertainment center for family fun with mini-golf & arcade games plus casual chow.

400 Beach St

UFO-themed mini-golf venue, with cocktails and San Jose-inspired pizza.

201 S Second St Ste 150 (San Jose)